Ex-U.S. Rep. Brown gets 5 years in prison

Describing the fraud as “shameless,” a federal judge in Jacksonville sentenced former Democratic U.S. Rep.Corrine Brown to five years in prison Monday for her role in a scam that involved using charitable contributions for personal expenses and events.

The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan, came after Brown, 71, was convicted in May on 18 felony counts.

Corrigan also sentenced Brown’s longtime chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, to four years in prison and a woman who started the purported charity, Carla Wiley, to 21 months.

In a 25-page sentencing order, Corrigan said the One Door for Education charity, which was originally established to help children, was “operated as a criminal enterprise” by Brown, Simmons and Wiley. He detailed how the charity raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, which forensic accountants said was siphoned off in cash withdrawals and used for such things as sky box seats at an NFL game and a luxury box at a Beyoncé concert.

“These defendants systematically looted One Door funds which otherwise would have been available to help deserving children,” Corrigan said in the sentencing order. “Just think of the good that could have been done with that money if it had been used for its proper purpose.”

Prosecutors said $833,000 was raised but the charity gave out just one scholarship, worth $1,200.

The Florida Times-Union reported that Brown, who served 24 years in Congress until losing a re-election bid last year, will report to prison no earlier than Jan. 8. The Times-Union also reported that Brown’s attorney, James Smith, said she will appeal the sentence.

Corrigan said Brown, one of the first black members of Congress from Florida since Reconstruction, was a “trailblazer who also has lifted up others.”

“But, having overcome all hurdles and risen to high office, Ms. Brown unfortu- nately succumbed to greed and an entitlement mentality,” Corrigan said.

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